Microsoft purchase of Nokia gets regulatory approval from China

Clearance granted for the sale of the devices and services business, with the deal still scheduled to go through this month

Microsoft’s planned purchase of Nokia’s devices and services business for €5.4 billion (£4.5 billion) has received regulatory approval from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.

When the acquisition was first announced on September 3, 2013, both parties said it would be subject to regulatory approval. They have now received this from China, the European Commission and the US Department of Justice.

The deal is still scheduled to be completed during this month.

Nokia said the regulatory approval process has involved a thorough review of its patent licensing practices by several global competition authorities.

It claimed no authorities have challenged its compliance or requested it to make changes to its licensing program or royalty terms.